(562) 698-6446
(562) 698-6446
At Hanning & Sacchetto, LLP, our Whittier workers’ compensation attorneys talked recently about how Healthcare Workers Routinely Face Workplace Injury Risks. While the nursing profession may not seem low risk, with the potential for exposure to infectious diseases, bodily fluids, the need to lift, move, or transfer patients, and slip and fall incidents, it usually isn’t the first profession that comes to mind when you think of dangerous workplaces.
Dangerous job titles are often reserved for firefighters, construction workers, and professions related to the industrial or manufacturing industries.
The question is, if you work in a seemingly “low-risk” profession, does it make it harder to obtain workers’ compensation benefits in California? Here, we discuss some of these professions, their common injuries, and the eligibility requirements for workers’ compensation, no matter the industry in which you work.
California Jobs That Are Not as “Low Risk” as They Appear on Paper
A profession’s perceived risk level does not solely determine California’s eligibility for workers’ compensation benefits. Instead, workers’ compensation benefits are generally available to employees who suffer work-related injuries or illnesses, regardless of the nature of their jobs.
That includes:
- Retail Workers
Despite its seemingly safe nature, retail work harbors unexpected dangers. Employees are at risk of slips, trips, and falls, lifting injuries from moving heavy merchandise, and even potential violence from customers during disputes or robberies.
- Delivery Drivers
Delivery drivers, whether for food, packages, or other goods, face risks from traffic accidents, dog bites, and the potential for robbery or assault while making deliveries.
- Food Service Workers
Working in restaurants or food service involves handling hot surfaces, sharp knives, potentially hazardous equipment, and exposure to heat, steam, and cooking oils, which can cause burns, cuts, and slips.
While not an exhaustive list of seemingly low-risk jobs, workers in any occupation can suffer work-related injuries or illnesses. California’s workers’ compensation system is designed to provide benefits to employees who are injured or become ill due to their work, regardless of the nature of their jobs. If your California employer’s workers’ compensation insurance is challenging your claim or has already been denied, contact our Whittier attorneys today for help to discuss your legal options during a free consultation.
Are All California Workers Eligible for Workers’ Compensation Benefits?
California’s workers’ compensation system is a no-fault system, meaning that employees are entitled to benefits for work-related injuries or illnesses regardless of who was at fault or the industry they work in.
To qualify for workers’ compensation benefits in California, an employee must meet the following criteria:
- Employment Status
The injured or ill individual must be an employee covered by workers’ compensation insurance. Most employees in California, including full-time, part-time, and seasonal workers, are covered by workers’ compensation.
- Work-Related Injury or Illness
The injury or illness must have occurred in the course and scope of employment, meaning it must have arisen out of and occurred during work-related duties. This includes injuries sustained at the workplace, during work-related travel, or while engaged in work-related activities.
- Timely Reporting
The injured or ill employee must report the injury or illness to their employer within a specified timeframe, typically within 30 days of the injury or onset of symptoms. Failure to report the injury or illness promptly could impact eligibility for benefits.
- Medical Treatment
The injured or ill employee must seek appropriate medical treatment from a healthcare provider. The doctors who treat them must follow treatment guidelines referred to as the medical treatment utilization schedule (MTUS).
- Filing a Claim
The injured worker must file a workers’ compensation claim with their employer’s workers’ compensation insurance carrier to be eligible for benefits.
Contact Our Worker’s Compensation Attorney in Whittier Today
If you have been hurt at work in California, no matter where you work, and are not getting the benefits you need to recover fully, call (562) 698-6446 to schedule a free consultation with our experienced workers’ compensation attorneys in Whittier today. We’re here to help you understand your legal rights and options and to pursue the compensation and benefits you are entitled to by law.
